The Staying Pilgrims

1. Hebrews 11:13 (GNV) All these died in faith, and received not the promises, but saw them afar off, and believed them, and received them thankfully, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

2. My misconceptions and new interest with the Pilgrims and 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower

a. Others came before them

• Columbus – 1492

• Spanish – 1500’s [St. Augustine, 1565]; Conquistadors; [Santa Fe – 1610]

• Jamestown, VA – 1607 – first English colony

• Vikings even earlier [Heavener, OK Runestone – Pre-Columbian inscriptions

b. Many reasons for coming – Land; Gold; Conquest; Adventure

3. Why did the Pilgrims come? “Separatists” from Church of England and Puritans

a. “Freedom of religion” – yes and no – had it in Holland; gave up Holland to come to America

b. Actually – Great Commission people – Mayflower Compact

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN . . .. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; . . .

c. They were “fully converted, “all in” for the gospel and kingdom of God

d. Wanted to be the church of the NT –

• John Robinson’s definition of “Church” –

“A company of faithful and holy people, with their seed [children], called by the word of God into public covenant with Christ and amongst themselves, for mutual fellowship in the use of all means of God’s glory and their salvation.”

• Worship Service (3 hours): -- Reading of 2-3 chapters with brief explanation; Sing Psalms (a cappella); Sermon with application to every aspect of life (2 hours); sacraments of LS and baptism whenever there was a candidate; collection as able to give

4. They wanted to be “stepping stones” for future generations

5. I call this lesson “Staying (not Straying) Pilgrims

a. Stay = “To remain; have endurance; Archaic definition = “Stand firm or await”

b. Consider the Pilgrims’ “staying power”

I. The Pilgrims Were Firm in Faith

A. The Christian Walk

1. Begins with Faith – Hebrews 11:6 (GNV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a [i]rewarder of them that seek him.

2. Involves the Sovereignty of God – Romans 8:28, 31

B. Reading the (Geneva) Bible Revealed Truths to Them (Romans 10:17)

1. Church of England was not the NT Church

2. Biblically, the King was not the head of the church and the “Divine Right of Kings” (via King Charles) was invalid

3. A proper Worldview Includes EVERY aspect of Life controlled by God through His word

a. Church and biblical teachings

b. Families

c. Civil Government – Yet, Obey God more than men – Acts 5:29

II. The Pilgrims Were Firm in Perseverance

A. They Persevered in their Worship – Secret in Scrooby Manor

B. They Persevered in Persecution 2 Timothy 3:12 (GNV) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.

Separatists from Church of England = Heresy and Treason

C. They Persevered in their Attempts at Freedom

1. First attempt – caught and imprisoned; betrayed by the Dutch Sea Captain they had hired to take them to Holland

2. Second attempt – separation of men from families; men taken on board; women and children caught by the Army

a. Two Week storm in North Sea [Bradford said that they did not see sun, moon, or sky

b. Prayed, “Even now you can save us.” Storm abated and they went to Amsterdam

c. 100’s of ships lost in that storm; they were saved; 1 year later reunited with families

3. Returned to England to go to New World

D. They Persevered in their Journey to America – Mayflower and Speedwell

1. Speedwell leaked; returned for repair; leaked; sold for a loss

2. Put 102 on Mayflower and set out – never had crossed Atlantic; wine ship delivered in England; cracked beam under main mast; used construction screw for foundations of houses and held together

3. Much sickness; disease; birth of Oceanaus; lost in navigation – aimed for VA ended up in MA

III. The Pilgrims Were Firm in the Providence of God

A. They Landed in MA, not VA

1. Out of King’s Jurisdiction

2. Need for a governing law for all = Mayflower Compact

a. Not top-down, king to people

b. Bottom-up; people to leaders (origin of: Of, By, For the people)

3. No hostile natives – many killed out or moved away b/c of English diseases

B. They Met Squanto –

1. Had been enslaved; escaped and returned home; his tribe had died

2. Knew English; interpreter for English and Natives there